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Disturbance spreads at HMP Birmingham | Disturbance spreads at HMP Birmingham |
(35 minutes later) | |
A riot involving hundreds of inmates has broken out at a prison after keys were reportedly taken from a member of staff. | A riot involving hundreds of inmates has broken out at a prison after keys were reportedly taken from a member of staff. |
Trouble flared at privately-run HMP Birmingham after a prison officer was "rushed" by inmates. | Trouble flared at privately-run HMP Birmingham after a prison officer was "rushed" by inmates. |
Specialist Tornado riot teams have been dispatched to the category B jail, which houses 1,450 prisoners. | Specialist Tornado riot teams have been dispatched to the category B jail, which houses 1,450 prisoners. |
G4S said the Prison Service had taken over the response due to the scale of the incident. | G4S said the Prison Service had taken over the response due to the scale of the incident. |
Live: Latest on the prison disturbance | Live: Latest on the prison disturbance |
Unverified photos purporting to show scenes from the disturbance have been circulated on social media. | Unverified photos purporting to show scenes from the disturbance have been circulated on social media. |
In one picture, two men can be seen wearing riot helmets and gesturing towards the camera. | In one picture, two men can be seen wearing riot helmets and gesturing towards the camera. |
Officers initially withdrew from two wings - which included some administrative offices - on Friday morning. G4S confirmed the incident later spread to two further wings. | Officers initially withdrew from two wings - which included some administrative offices - on Friday morning. G4S confirmed the incident later spread to two further wings. |
Jerry Petherick, managing director for G4S custodial and detention services, said West Midlands Police helicopter was also in attendance. | Jerry Petherick, managing director for G4S custodial and detention services, said West Midlands Police helicopter was also in attendance. |
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the site in Winson Green Road at about 12:25 GMT and at least four ambulances are at the scene. | West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the site in Winson Green Road at about 12:25 GMT and at least four ambulances are at the scene. |
It is understood the disturbance centres on wings N and P, which hold 250 prisoners, and both have been sealed off. All staff are accounted for. | It is understood the disturbance centres on wings N and P, which hold 250 prisoners, and both have been sealed off. All staff are accounted for. |
Alex Cavendish, a former prisoner who is now a prison and crime affairs academic, said trouble flared when lights were broken and inmates took control of fire hoses. | Alex Cavendish, a former prisoner who is now a prison and crime affairs academic, said trouble flared when lights were broken and inmates took control of fire hoses. |
Officers then started locking prisoners in their cells, but one officer was threatened with a used syringe and another prisoner "came up behind him and snatched the keys from his belt". | Officers then started locking prisoners in their cells, but one officer was threatened with a used syringe and another prisoner "came up behind him and snatched the keys from his belt". |
Staff then "withdraw to a place of safety", abandoning the wing, as they are directed to do in such situations. | Staff then "withdraw to a place of safety", abandoning the wing, as they are directed to do in such situations. |
He described the incident as "probably most serious riot in a B category prison since Strangeways went up" in 1990. | He described the incident as "probably most serious riot in a B category prison since Strangeways went up" in 1990. |
He said he was getting reports of one badly injured prisoner, inmates getting into the offender management unit (OMU) and destroying records and the prison gym being invaded. | He said he was getting reports of one badly injured prisoner, inmates getting into the offender management unit (OMU) and destroying records and the prison gym being invaded. |
West Midlands Police quashed rumours that offenders had keys giving access to residential areas and that offenders had occupied some blocks and exercise facilities. | |
"No keys to perimeter access points were taken," a spokesman said. | |
From the scene: BBC News reporter Nicola Beckford | From the scene: BBC News reporter Nicola Beckford |
There is clearly something pretty serious going on inside the jail. I have seen a number of vehicles going inside - at least four ambulances and a fire engine. | There is clearly something pretty serious going on inside the jail. I have seen a number of vehicles going inside - at least four ambulances and a fire engine. |
We've been talking to prisoners we have seen coming out of the prison and a man waiting for his son. | We've been talking to prisoners we have seen coming out of the prison and a man waiting for his son. |
He told me that a riot started because of a lack of hot water for inmates. A prison officer was called to the scene and he was threatened with a syringe and his keys stolen which ultimately led to a full scale riot. | He told me that a riot started because of a lack of hot water for inmates. A prison officer was called to the scene and he was threatened with a syringe and his keys stolen which ultimately led to a full scale riot. |
All staff have been accounted for but we are yet get any confirmed reports on any injuries. | All staff have been accounted for but we are yet get any confirmed reports on any injuries. |
About 15 people carrying kit bags and wearing G4S boiler suits were seen going into the the prison on Friday afternoon. | |
All prisoners who are not on the affected wings are believed to be back in their cells, with prison staff awaiting reinforcements before taking control of the other wings. | All prisoners who are not on the affected wings are believed to be back in their cells, with prison staff awaiting reinforcements before taking control of the other wings. |
A G4S spokeswoman said: "We are responding to an ongoing incident at HMP Birmingham this morning which began just after 09:00 GMT involving two wings of the prison. | A G4S spokeswoman said: "We are responding to an ongoing incident at HMP Birmingham this morning which began just after 09:00 GMT involving two wings of the prison. |
"We are in close contact with the National Offender Management Service, and are working with colleagues across the service to bring the incident to a safe conclusion." | "We are in close contact with the National Offender Management Service, and are working with colleagues across the service to bring the incident to a safe conclusion." |
A spokesman for the Prison Officers Association (POA) said no staff injuries had been reported. | A spokesman for the Prison Officers Association (POA) said no staff injuries had been reported. |
He said the incident "is another stark warning to the Ministry of Justice [MoJ] that the service is in crisis". | He said the incident "is another stark warning to the Ministry of Justice [MoJ] that the service is in crisis". |